12 Sensory Tools For Your Home

When we became foster parents, we were first time parents. The world of childhood development was a bit new to us. We had read some books, played with younger siblings, nieces, and younger cousins, but had never been in the trenches with childhood development. Foster care throws you in the trenches, and can expose you to a very neuro-diverse array of children in a short amount of time. Since we started fostering, we have had 12 kiddos in care, and one bio child. With nearly every child, we have experienced a “that is new to us” moment, in learning how a kiddos brain develops. This post will hopefully share with you, some of the tools we have picked up along the way, in helping to nurture children with sensory processing needs.

We are by no means experts in this field, but we do have experience. We have had numerous kiddos in our care who have been diagnosed with “sensory processing disorder” and others who were considered to have sensory needs. These terms were new to us initially, but seem to be more common or discussed in parenting and especially foster parenting circles over the last few years. Maybe it is just similar to that phenomenon where you buy a car you like, and then all of a sudden you see the same car everywhere.

Although sensory processing disorder or variations of the diagnosis or even undiagnosed sensory processing diversity is something that any child or person can experience, it is something that is somewhat common for children in care. Many kids who have experienced trauma and/or neglect have many different types of sensory needs. From what we have learned, early childhood experiences can have a profound impact on brain development, and can cause processing pathways to be modified, resulting in neuro-diverse processing of sensory experiences. This means that what can barely feel like a touch to me, may bring a profound sensory experience to someone else, or the experience of touch, squeeze, pat, or rub, can have aggravating or calming effects on someone depending on how they process the sensory experience.

Over the years, we have collected a number of tools and toys that have really helped our kiddos with sensory processing needs. Here is a list of fun and functional tools to help keep your child regulated and you sane!

Foam Ball Pit

Fill this soft foam ball pit with balls or pillows and bury your child for some deep pressure work and tactile experience. If you want something a little less soft, but that can be cleaned up and stored easily, maybe try a Chewy Tube

These Chewey Tubes are great for children who need help with jaw strength and oral fixation. These were first recommended to us for a kiddo who was in speech therapy, and you might consider using one if your child has speech therapy or difficulties with eating/chewing. I put them on necklaces and by threading a string through the tube, and sending our toddler to preschool with a beautiful outfit accessory.

Kinetic Sand

This sand is very fun to play with, provides a great tactile experience that many of our kiddos have really enjoyed, and as a bonus to parents, it is relatively easy to clean up.

Wilbarger Therapy Brush

This brush was a suggestion from our Occupational Therapist for practicing touch with one of our kiddos. I will not pretend that I understand how this magic works but it really helps regulate our little one. We brush her with consistent strokes on her extremities, and count out the strokes. It has done wonders to help her calm down during periods of disregulation
Here is a helpful infographic explaining how to use it and how it work.

Crash Pad

This Crash Pad literally gives your kiddo a soft place to land after a difficult moment, or can allow for an energy release coping skill that may have otherwise ended in disregulation. While initially, this just felt like the acceptable equivalent of “jumping on the bed” we have seen how the jumping, falling, and landing on soft spaces has provided a healthy outlet for some of our kids, without breaking the furniture.

Swing

A swing is a great way to get some vestibular input. These swings are a great tool for calming little bodies down, and giving them a safe space to crawl into and escape when things get overwhelming. The swinging motion can do wonders for calming a body and brain.

Trampoline

An indoor trampoline is wonderful to get the wiggles out on a cold or rainy day.

Tunnel

Crawling is a good gross motor activity, and the tunnel can also provide a bit of a light, noise or chaos deprivation area for your kiddo as well. These tunnels can fold down in seconds, no playroom required.

Building Blocks

These boxes are shipped flat and we put bags of dry beans or sand inside to make them heavier. Heavy work can be a great activity before naps or bedtime.

Headphones

When life is just too overwhelming it is helpful to have a set of these handy. We use this in the car, in busy public spaces, and at restaurants.

Tight Bed Sheet

This tight bed sheet has been a game changer for one of our kiddos, they are very sensitive to many different feels and they do not tolerate a weighted blankets. With this sheet, the child gets the benefit of deep pressure. It is like sleeping inside a hug.

Body Sock

Have your child make each letter of the alphabet while wearing this body sock, it is silly, challenging, and a great way to get deep pressure and resistance work. Putting on the body sock itself has averted numerous instances of disregulation.

We hope some of these tools that we have had success with, can help you and your kiddos find success as well. Many of these items were recommended to us by doctors and therapists. However, we are not doctors or therapists. We encourage you, if you feel your kiddo has a sensory processing disorder, or is neuro diverse when it comes to processing sensory experiences, to talk to your child’s doctor, speech, occupational, or mental health therapist for additional guidance.

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